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CYCLE CHALLENGE FOR BBC MAN WHO LOST LEG

By Helen William, PA

A television producer who lost a leg when he stepped on a landmine in Iraq is to tackle a marathon cycle ride through Death Valley to help other victims.

Stuart Hughes, 33, will face 90F heat on his 200 mile Californian trip in November in aid of mine clearance charity Mines Advisory Group.

He said: ``Over 100 countries have a landmine problem and so in a lot of countries people are living in death valleys - areas littered with landmines.''

``I wanted to do something to draw attention the work of MAG - this seemed appropriate.''

``It really is an every day problem. I went to Cambodia about a year ago I was genuinely shocked because there were little children playing six inches away from a minefield.''

``Having goals like this keeps my motivation up.''

The BBC news producer was covering the Iraq war when he stepped on the mine as he got out of a jeep in April 2003. His lower right leg was amputated.

Mr Hughes, Jim Muir the BBC's veteran Tehran Correspondent and Iranian cameraman Kaveh Golestan had gone to look at an abandoned enemy trench in the small northern Iraqi town of Kifri.

Being close to enemy lines, Mr Golestan confused the explosion with artillery fire and tried to dive for cover. He died instantly after stepping on a second mine.

Cardiff-born Mr Hughes of Ealing, west London, will be wearing a lightweight carbon fibre blade-shaped leg for the charity ride which he hopes will raise #30,000.

Cycling was a vital part of his fitness regime after the blast and helped return him to good health and his job at the BBC.

Training has also included running and lots of 10km races to help build up stamina.

Today he took a spin in the British Olympic Association hot chamber at Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow, north west London, to help him acclimatise.

It also means he has a reason to take a backseat in the fine details of his wedding to Aileen Meldrum, 33, in September.

He joked ``I cannot plan my wedding at the moment because I'm training.''

``I'm feeling great. It is obviously difficult to start with. When a surgeon tells you that you are going to have your leg cut off it is pretty traumatic. The BBC have been great. Doing things and having goals like this keeps my motivation up.''

Mr Hughes will be part of a five-strong team taking part in the four-day Death Valley challenge.

Setting off from the town of Lone Pine, the team will travel east along Highway 136 before picking up Highway 190 through Panamint Springs.

After rolling to the bottom of Panamint Valley, a tough climb begins up the famous Town Pass - a 13 mile, 3,800 foot climb with grades of 10-13%.

The cyclists will then drop down 5000ft to Stovepipe Wells and Furnace Creek, from where they will head south to Badwater which, at 282ft below sea level, is the lowest point in the United States.

They cycle on to Shoshone before heading north to the finish line at Death Valley Junction.

MAG has been clearing mines since the last Gulf War in 1992, destroying hundreds of thousands of mines and unexploded bombs.

More information about MAG can be found on its website, www.mag.org.uk.